KINGSVILLE – The Texas A&M-Kingsville Javelinas couldn’t get the big hit against Incarnate Word, falling to the Cardinals 5-1 Tuesday afternoon at Nolan Ryan Field. The loss put the Hogs’ record at 0-2 while Incarnate Word won in its season opener. Incarnate Word advanced to the NCAA Tournament last year and is the preseason favorite to win the Heartland Conference.
Michael Ruiz was the winning pitcher for the Cardinals giving up one unearned run, two hits and had one strikeout in three innings.
Starting pitcher Josh Livingston took the loss for A&M-Kingsville pitching four innings giving up two runs, one earned, four hits and a walk.
The Javelinas left a total of 12 men on base including two innings when they left the bases loaded.
“We just didn’t have timely hitting today,” said Javelina head coach Russell Stockton. “We had four line drives that were caught. We’ve got to get better at our situational hitting. We are the kind of team that can’t pass up on opportunities.”
Freshman Mario Gonzalez (Premont) pitched two innings and allowed two runs on two hits while striking out one and walking five. Jeremy Heatley pitched the final three innings for the Javelinas allowing one run, two hits, a walk and recorded a strikeout.
“Mario is a freshman and he has great pitches. He’s just got to learn the difference between college and high school hitters. I think he is going to be a quality pitcher. Josh did real well. We had the error in the first inning and he might have gotten out of it without allowing a run and Jeremy Heatley came in and did a great job. Our pitching and defense will keep is in every game we play.”
Javelina catcher Joe Hamon went four-for-five at the plate with an RBI.
Incarnate Word scored two runs on the top of the first when Drew Hamilton hit a leadoff single, moved to second on a fielder’s choice and to third on an error. Chris Pacheco singled to center to plate Hamilton and give the Cardinals the early lead. Gideon Williams, who had reached on the fielder’s choice, later scored on a Ryan Watkins single.
The Javelinas were able to load the bases in the bottom of the second on two singles and a hit batsman, but were unsuccessful in scoring any runs that inning.
The Hogs broke through in the fifth on an RBI single by Hamon that scored Clay Bockholt who reached second on a two-base throwing error and moved to third on a pass ball.
The Cardinals answered right back in the top of the sixth loading the bases with no outs. Incarnate Word scored two runs that inning on only one hit, the first coming on an RBI walk to Chris Mojica and the second on a Hamilton sacrifice fly.
The Javelinas again loaded the bases in the bottom half of the sixth but were unable to push any runs across the plate.
Incarnate Word added a run in the ninth on a double by Pacheco that brought in Mojica.
The Javelinas will host St. Mary’s Friday night at 5:00 p.m. at Whataburger Field.
